Art op refrigeration-and apparatus therefor



Deco I J. B. THOMPSON E1' AL ART OF RFRIGERATIONAND APPARATUS THEREFOR 3Sheets-Sheet l Filed Feb. 26, 1924 n lQL Dec. 22 1925- J. B. THOMPSN ETAL ART oF REFRIGERATI'ON AND APPARATUS THEREFOR Filed Feb. 26, 1924 :ssheets-Sheet 2 Dec. 22 1925- K J. B. THOMPSON El' AL ART oFREFRIGERATION AND APPARATUS THEREFOR mwrhH A.

eats-Sheet 3 un u n n u kiO Lil

i Each of Patented Dies. Z2, i325.

,mega sie't JAMES Bgfrnoicrsou Ann sermon B. mennen, or PORTLAND,OREGON.

ART or niernrennnrion ANnAPrAnnTus THEREFOR.

Application sieril February 2s, ieee. serrer No. 695,233.

To all @7mm t muy*conce/ut.' i

Be it'known that We, Janus B. THOMPSON and @urinoir B. Hmmm), citizensof the United States of America, and residents of Portland, in thecounty' of Multnomah, 'in the State'of Oregon, have,invented'certain newand useful improvements in the Jnrt of Refrigeration and VApparatus,Therefor, of Wl'iich the followingis a specification, referencebeingrhad to the accompanyingk drawings. i c

Our invention comprehends improvements in the art'of refrigeration, andhas for its 'principal object the production of a simple, economical,and efficient refrigerating ma chine for domestic and similar uses.A n

The efficiency of our machine is in great measure augmented by the novelmethod employed in connection With it,\for example, for the separationof the lre frigerant and of the lubricant or oil as commonly used in icemachines.A Every ice machine, like any machine which has Working parts,requires,

'of course, provision `for its proper lubrication; but in ice machines,from the very nature of gthem,"a'peculiar difficulty has beenexperienced which practically forbids that the refrigerant on Which theAmachine operates shall be altogether separated from contact With thelubricantemployed therein, although it also requires that itshall beuncontaminated thereby. rlhe difficulty arises not so much because thepresence of the lu# bricant in the refrigerant interferes With thesimple reduction of temperature', which it is the first essentialfunction of the machine.

to effect; but because afterwards the presence of even a slight trace orresidue of the lubricant in the refrigerant has acumulative tendency todeposit a film of lubricant upon the inner Walls of the expansionchamber or coils of the machine through which the said reduction oftemperature is made eifcctually available for use.

T he progressive result of such deposit isv by insulation to impair theeiiiciency of the refrigerative action of the machine so that it Willbe,'in abrief space of time, either materially or altogether suspended.

kVlhat difficulty is pract-icall3,T eliminated by our invention throughthe provision in the refrigerant circulatory r.system of our ma.- chineof twosubstaniial bodies of liquids of different specific gra-vitiSS,one of oil, for example, 'and the other of a refrigerant. bodies'is'heldconstantly in a state of substantially perfect rest at` some lpoint insaid system through which the cir culatorymedium must pass in `order toaccomplish its cycle of circulation. Now, theoretically, the only mediumWhich is necessarily'circulatory in such a system is the "igerant it isthat Whichy in the course of its circulation effectsrefrigerationbyundergoing. alternate compression and expansion in repeated cycles ofcirculation.

Practically, however, the refrigerant, in the course of each cycle ofits circulation, catches up and carries With it some modicuin of the oilorother lubricant Whose presence the proper lubrication of theymechanism used 'for compressing the refrigerant demands. kWithouteffectual meansk for the separation of the lubricant from therefrigerant before the latter reaches the leXpansion coils of themachine, the objectionable result already specified follows offilm-coating the 'inside of said coils, that is to say, therefrigerative relement ofthe machine. 1 The difficulty. above explainedis Well rec#` ognized in the art, andvmany'differ'ent methods have beenheretofore attempted for ob-l taining effective separation of thelubricant out of the refrigerant. Among those methods, separation ofthose liquids through the utilization' of the mere differences in theirrespective yspecific gravities has been tried, but With indifferent`success. From all attempts of that description, however,jthe principleof our invention'is broadlyy distinguishedjby thefact 'that While vveveffectv separation by utilizing the difference of specific gravities oftwo'liquida'we are enabled to do so to a degree of substantialperfection by bringing the liquids together in bodies which Lare in astate of static stability. By this ineans! the full effect of the.relative buoyancy'of the tvvo liquids is obtained as a factor ofseparation.

In the operation of our machine the body of the refrigerant isbeingconstantly, but so very slowly as not to impair its staticstability, drawn ofi' into circulationpfroiu the bottomfof the `body oftherefrigeraut Where itlies confined at rest inl sufficientlyundisturbed repose to permit it, before it is called into circulation,to become entirely freed of any contamination by the lubricant whichcollects andrests in a separatedbody upon it. In` the circulatorymovement of the refrigerant a continuing' separationk therefrom of thelubricant isnotr only eff` llO fected by what may be denominated astrain-y ing operation of the force of gravitation acting upon theirdifferent specific gravities as soon as the two liquids are brought intorelationship that is favorable to such operation; but afterwards, also,when the two liquids come to rest in their respective pools, as thebodies of the respective liquids may be designated, there is a furthercontinuing tendency of the heavier liquid, namely the refrigerant, tocleanse itself entirely of the presence of even' a trace of the liquidof lower specific gravity, namely the lubricant, by action of therelative buoyancy of the two liquids. That is to say, so long as the twoliquid bodies are maintained in a state of rest and in the relationshipin which the lighter is superposed above the heavier, opportunity isafforded for separation through the lifting up of the more buoyantliquid out of the heavier liquid and the precipitation of the heavierliquid towards the bottom of the pool. This, too, is the result of theforce of gravitation, but it is made available by the bringing of thetwo liquids substantially to static stability. In order to furnishsupply of the medium of circulation which the demands of its circulationmake upon it, the heavier liquid (the refrigerant) is separately drawnoff, so slowly as to be without disturbance of the operative staticstability of the body from the bottom of the lowermost pool.

Also, a sufhciency of the lubricant is drawn off in like manner to meetthe demands made upon it for the lubrication of the working parts of themachine. rlhis too is accomplished without disturbance of the staticstability of the body of the lubricant.

The draughts upon the body of the refrigerant and that of the lubricant,respectively, are made always of slow and gradual flow. Consequently,there need be no cause, in any instance, for apprehension that there mayensue in the operation of the machine a demand in excess of the supplyof either liquid. It may be observed, however, that the presence of asmall admiXture of the refrigerant with the lubricant is immaterial. Infact the refrigerant is in itself of sutlicient lubricating quality topermit the machine to be kept ruiming for short periods at a timewithout injurious results, even if no other lubricant is present.

The object of that separation of the two liquids which is material is tokeep the refrigerant while in circulation through the expansion chambersof the machine substantially clean of oil or other film-forminglubricant. n

Other objects of our invention besides those above indicated will beapparent to one skilled in the art from the following speciication,

IVhat constitutes our invention will be hereinafter specified in detailand succinctly set forth in the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawings we illustrate our invention in one form ofembodiment which is preferred for its simplicity Aand economy ofconstruction and operation.

Of said drawings- Figure I is a side elevation of our machine, partlybroken away to show part of its interior, and with the usual enclosingcase or chest for the expansion coils omitted.

Figure II is an end elevation of the machine taken from the end oppositethat on which the expansion coils are located.

Figure III is a top plan view of part of the subject matter of Figure I.

Figure IV is a longitudinal horizontal section of the compressionpump-case of our machine showing the piston therein in full.

Figure V is a similar view of part of the subject matter of Figure IV,the section thereof being taken at right angles to the view in thepreceding figure.

Figure VI is a section on the line VI-VI of Figure IV.

Referring to the numerals on the drawings, 1 indicates the bed frame orpedestal of our machine which may be of any suitable weight, material,form, and dimensions.

It is provided on one end with a prefer'- ably cylindrical pump-case 2,and on the opposite end with a supporting piece 3, upon which isprovided a journal box 4f. rllhe member 3 cooperates with acorresponding piece 5 on top of the case 2 for the support of a closedreceptacle 6 constituting a condensing and separating chamber.

The case 2 is preferably provided with opposite removable heads 8 and 9,secured to it preferably by screw bolts 10, and is also provided with aside cap 11, secured to it as by screw bolts 12.

'Ihe cap 1.1 is provided with a journal bearing that is coaxial with thebox et, in conjunction with which it serves for the support of arotative shaft 15.

The said shaft is provided on its outer eind with a suitable drivepulley 16 which is fixed to it. At l5 carries an eccentric-head 17,which is fixed thereto and which rotates within the case 2 in a planeparallel to that in which the line of its longitudinal axis lies.

The interior of the case 2 is fitted with a double-acting piston 18,which, with snug iitinent within the bore of the case, maintainable, forexample, by packing rings 1t), reciprocates between the opposing' racesof the heads 8 and 9.

The eccentric-head 17 works in a snug titting recess provided for it ina box 20 let into and secured to the piston 18. Surroundin` said workingparts is a housing 22 provided for it in and preferably incoritsopposite end the shafti cl v poi'ated with the wall of the case 2. Thehousing 22A constitutes an enclosure for an oil bath for the saidWorking parts and for the piston enclosed witliinit.

'A pipe 25 communicates, by way of two branch. pipes 26 and 27 withwhich, it is provided, with theinterior ofthe case 2, they branchesbeing operatively connected, re

spectively, with the heads 8 and Y9, and the pipe with the expansioncoils 28,r which constitute a simple and therefore preferred expansionchamber vfor the machine. The

pipe is preferably provided with a valve' 29 for opening and closingit,and withy a A, suitable pressure gauge 30.

31. indicates a transverse pipe which communicates withthe interior olthe receptacle, as through a removable dome 32 thereon, and with two,branch pipes and 34lcading into the interior` of the case 2 through itsconstitute'aJ liquidsupply intake port.

Each of the heads 8 and 9 is provided withinr witha conduit 40 which,when the heads yare in piace on the case 2 (compare Figs., IV and V)communicates at one end with the interior of said case, andatthe otherwith ka crosssconduit 41, with 4the terminals 42 and V43 of which,respectively,

the hr'nch pipes26---27, and the branch pipe: 'l elbows 44 therein, asby aid of a union 45, 4*", threaded upon the end ofthe pipe and withinthe cross-conduit terminals, in each instance. K

l? luid flow through the respective crossi conduits in the heads 8 and9, respectively,

is controlled by automatic valves'46 and 547 which open, respectively,in opposite directions, whereby Huid under pressure from` the piston`18within the case 2 is permitted to open the valve 46 but is entrapped bythe valve 47. Reciprocating' movement in one direction of the piston 18effects pressure alternately in each of the cross-conduits 4l.Reciprocation of the piston in the opposite direction produces a suctionwhich, between intervals of coi'iipression is enabled to draw i yonlyupon theiiuid contents of the pipe 26 or 27 by. reason of the fact thatthe valve 46 'opens runder pressure, andthat the valve 4T closesthereunder but opens under suction.

For the accomplishment of its function,

A`alot the valve 4,6 Wcrksin'a.sleeve@ de e-'-34 are operativelyconjoined abover` pending from a diaphragm 53 which is secured against ashoulder y54 provided for it inthe outer end ofthe terminal 43, `abovethe valve seat 50, by impingement against the diaphragm of the inner endof the F union 45. The diaphragm is provided with a ring of apertures 55through which iluid may flowto thepipe 33 or 34, as the.

casemay be, the inner end of the bore of the union "45 being 'outwardlyflared, as indicated 'at 56, so as to takein the outer cir cumference ofthe ring of apertures -55.- Ay

spring 57, .coiled about the stem 51 and seated at opposite ends,respectively, against the diaphragm 53 andthe top ofthe valve 46, servesto keep said valve normally but yieldingly closed against itsseat 50.

The valve 47 hasa stemy 58 Workinglin a sleeve provided in the wallofthe conduit 41 and disposed coaxially with the conduit terminal y42.The valve is yieldingly pro- `iected outwardlyby a spring 61 coiledabout the sleeve 60. By said spring it is normally impelled into closecontact with a seat 62 provided for it in the opposing end'fof 'afsleeveV 63. Said sleeve is slipped into the bore ofthe terminal 42,Whosediameteris sufficiently venlarged to form within said terminal an`annular shoulder 65, 'against' which the sleeve is coniined byimpingement against its outer end of its-proper yunion 45". -By virtueof the arrangement'just dey scribed ofthe valves 46 and 47 in therespective heads 8 and 9, provision made so that with every alternatestroke,the pis- 1 ton 18 willl suck fluid from thefpipe26 or the pipe`27 into one'of theV cross-conduits 4l and will therein compress andthence expel each charge of fluid so derived into the pipe 33er thepipe34, The valves 46 and 47 respectively,yield to the suction as often asit occurs through yreciprocation in ,one direction of thek piston 18,and the valve so actu'- ated instantly closes upon the reverse stroke ofthe piston. Likewise the valve 46 opens to the force of compressiongenerated byr a forward stroke of the piston 18, and closes upon thereverse stroke thereof. By the alternate opening and closing of thevalves 46 and 47 in the respective heads 8 and 9A a continuing pumpingaction is effected by the rotation of the shaft 15 so long as it is inmotion, and constant circulatory Huid flow through the machine, as willpresently ap-- pear, is thereby maintained. l

Said circulatory llow, following the direction indcated by the arrows'in the drawings,L proceeds downwardly through the `alternatingroperating pipes 26 and 27 from the pipe 25', and upwardly, as is alsoindicated by arrows,v through the r alternately active pipes and 34,which make delivery to the pipe 31. The pipe25, asalreadyspeci'iiedQc'ommunicates directlyv with the pension' coils 28,WithWhchalso-'the pipe 31 tl l) ll il lili) llt) communicates, butindirectly through the closed receptacle 6. The pipe 31 dischargesdirectly through the dome 32 into the interior of the receptacle 6,where its fluid contents are converted by condensation from the form ofa gas or vapor into that of a liquid. In that state it issues, as fromthe bottom of the receptacle 6, through a pipe, 66, which is providedwith a regulative or cut-olf valve 67. A pipe 68, preferably Aofrestricted capacity, leads from the pipe 66 through a suitable expansionvalve case 69, of any usual or preferred type, to the coils 2S.

indicates a water inlet pipe and 71 a water outlet pipe whichcommunicate, respectively, with external means of water supply anddischarge, not illustrated, and with suitable cooling or condensingcoils 72, disposed preferably as shown in Figure I, within the upperportion of the receptacle 6, Within the lower portion of which aremaintained, throughout any period of operation of the machine, two stillbodies or pools of different circulatory liquids, respectively. Theupper pool 74 is composed of a suitable liquid lubricant, for exampleoil, which a pipe leads into operative communication with the parts ofthe machine working within the case 2. It floats upon the lower pool 76which is composed of a refrigerant having a greater specific gravitythan the lubricant used, and with which the pipe 68 is in circulatory'communication as has been already specified.

In the description of the operation of our machine next following is setforth the method which in part constitutes our invention.

Assume that the machine has been supplied or replenished as requiredthrough the intake port 37, with liquid refrigerant and liquid lubricantin sufficient quantities, respectively, and that the valve of the port37 has been closed. The valves 29, 38 and 67 being then open, drivingpower from any suitable motor, not illustrated, is applied to the pully16, which, as has been specified, rotates the shaft 15 and theeccentric-head 17, with the effect of imparting operative reciprocationto the piston 18. By said reciprocation, in the manner already describedin terms suficiently intelligible to one skilled in the art, movement ofthe circulating fluid through the circulatory system is set up, and willbe maintained so long as operative reciprocation of the piston 18continues.

The refrigerant employed by us, for example, but also by preference, issulphur dioxid (SO2). It is heavi r than the oil or lubricant used, andconstitutes essentially the circulating fluid aforesaid. The valves 46and 47 divide the circulatory system into the' suc-tion side and thecompression side l of our machine, as they are denominated in the commonparla'nce of the art.

IVith each forward movement Aof the piston 18, a charge of refrigerantis effectively compressed. In the course of its passage through thecirculatory system each charge passes through the expansion valve case69 when it suddenly expands, in the manner well understood in the art,into a gas or vapor with consequent reduction of teniperature in theexpansion chamber or coils 28, with refrigerative effect. The said coilsare, in practice of course, enclosed inthe usual manner which requiresonly mention.

Driven by the combined forces of compression and of suction obtained, asalready specified, through the combined operations of the piston 18 andthe valves 46 and 47, the charge of refrigerant under conte1nplation,after undergoing expansion, returns, through the pipe 25 and itsrespective branches, into the case 2, where, as often as it arrives, itis compressed again and again in each cycleof circulation.

The pumping action of the compressor effects substantially constantcirculation through movement of successive charges of the circulatoryfluid following without interruption one after another. Y

Besides the circulatory movement of the refrigerant, there is constantlysupplied a bath of lubricant derived from the pool 74 through the pipe 75 for the working parts of the machine from which a small portion passesby leakage into the circulatory refrigerant. A small quantity oflubricant leakage does not materially affect the reduction oftemperature obtained through the expansion of the refrigerant, but it issufficient, in consequence of its cumulative tendency to formnlm-coating on the interior of the coils 28, to impair the elliciency ofthe machine, even substantially to the point of elimination.

To effect substantially perfect separation of the refrigerant and thelubricant is, therefore, made theV main object of our invention. Themethod by which we accomplish that end may be understood from thedescription next following.

In the operation of the machine each successive charge of refrigerant,after having been subjected to the desired degree of compression, passesthrough the pipe 31 into the receptacle 6, the pressure created bycompression being maintained until it passes in liquid form through thepipe 66 and the expansion valve 69 where it becomes rareeld by expansioninto a gas or vapor, in which form it is conducted in its circulatorycycle back by the pipe 25 to the compressor.

Eacl'rcompressed charge of refrigerant is liquefied after it entersthrough the pipe 31 the receptacle 6 in consequence of the presencetherein of, the VCooling coils 72,

vmately to that of whose effect is to condense and precipitate litwithin thereccptacle 6 in the form of a shower. The lower portionV ofthe receptacle being always during the operation of the `machineprovided with the pools Tlf and 76, the minute drops or particles of thecirculatory medium, composed mainly of the refrigerant combined withsuch modicum of lubricant as may be present in it, fall like gentle rainupon the surface of the pool 74. Thereupon the heavier liquid-thevrefrigerant-isprecipitated by gravity towards the bottom ofthereceptacle where it collects in ther` pool 7 6. In the accomplishment ofsuch precipitation therefrigerant is in cffect filtered; that is to say,it gives up substantially all the lubricant which it may contain.Finally, after reaching the pool 76, the body of the refrigerant reposesin a substantially constant stateof static stability, owing to the factthat the pipe 68 lubricant constituting the pool '7a.

Moreover, the flowl of the refrigerant from the pool 76 is drawn fromthe very bottom thereof, with the effect, before it enters the pipe66,of insuring its substantially perfect purification of the lubricant,that is to say, to a degree which will eliminate film-coating of thecoils 28.

We find, from repeated and long continued actual tests, that ourinvention as above specified effects ani unimpaired efficiency which inthe operation of our machine, may be maintained for indeterminate butsubstantially unlimited periods of time. Also, that, by reason of theextreme simplicity of the construction of our machine there results inits operation a minimum of wearfand ytherefore practically no occasionfor repairs.

It is deemed proper to add that the peels 7.4 and 76 may be maintainedat a depth, respectively, which will insure constantly adequate suppliesof refrigerant and of lubricant'for the machine to draw upon duringoperation.V Provisionmay be made, if desired, of familiar means fortesting from time to time such variation of the respective levels ofsaid pools as may occur within the receptacle 6, but this if' desiredisno more than an ordinary mechanical contrivyance, which is deemed tobe so well-known as to call for neither illustration nor any descriptionother than this passing mention.

What vvek claim is:` l. As an improvement in the art of refrigerationobtained from successive compression and expansion of a refrigerant,theprocess which consists vin collecting' and maintaining in staticstability within a rrefrigerative circulating system, two lpoolscomposed, respectively, of two liquids of different specific gravities,namely, a heavier refrigerant' andy a lighter lubricant, said poolsbeing vsuperposed one above the other so that the lighter lubricantfloats on 'top of the yheavier refrigerant, promoting a continuouscirculation of the refrigerant through said system, compressing andcondensing the refrigerant and, when condensed, showering it in liquidform, together with such of the lubricant as it may contain, upon thelubricant pool whereby it may gravitate therethrough without disturbingthe static stabilityof the pools and may effect substantially perfectseparation of the lubricant from the circulatory medium, substantiallyas set forth. f f

`2.' As an improvement in the art of refrigeration obtained fromsuccessive compression and expansion ofa refrigerant, the

process which consists in collecting and maintaining instatic stabilityvwithin a dei fined `refrigerative circulating system two poolscomposed, respectively, ofl two liquids of different specific gravities,namely, a

yheavier refrigerant and a lighter lubricant,

said pools being superposed one abovethe other so that the lighterlubricantlioats on top of the heavier refrigerant, promoting acontinuousr circulation ofthe refrigerant through said system,compressing and condensing the refrigerant and, when condensed,showering it in liquid form, together with such of the lubricant as itmay contain, upon the lubricant pool whereby it may gravitatetherethrough without disturbing the static stability of the pool and mayeffect substantially perfect separation of the lubricant from thecirculatory medium substantially as set forth, and removing thcrefrigerant fromk its pool for circulation Withoutdisturbii'ig thestatic stability of said pools.

3. As an improvei'i'ient in the art of refrigeration obtained fromsuccessive conipression and expansion of a refrigerant, the processwhich consists in collecting and maintaining in static stability withina defined refrigerative circulatingsysteni, two pools composedrespectivelyl of two liquids of different specific gravities, namely aheavier refrigerant and a lighter lubricant, said pools being superposedone above the other with the lighter lubricant floating on top of theheavier refrigerant, promoting a continuous circulation of therefrigerant through said system, conducting the lubricant from said poolto the system without disturbing the static stability of the pool,compressing and condensing the refrigerant, substantially excluding fromthe compressed refrigerant l l D the lubricant conducted from the poolto the system, and passing the condensed refrigerant in liquid form,together with such of the lubricant as it may contain, through thelubricant pool without disturbing the static stability of the latterwhereby substantially perfect separation of the lubricant from thecirculatory medium is effected substantially as set forth.

el. As an improvement in the art of refrigeration obtained fromsuccessive compression and expansion of a refrigerant, the process whichconsists in collecting and maintaining in static stability within adefined rcfrigerative (.:irculating system two pools composedrespectively of two` liquids of dilferent specific gravities, namely, aheavier refrigerant and a lighter lubricant, said pools being superposedone above the ther with the lighter lubricant floating on top of theheavier refrigerant, promoting continuous circulation of the refrigerantthrough said system, conducting the lubricant from said pool to thesystem without disturbing the static stability of the pool, compressingand condensing` the refrigerant, substantially excluding fromthecompressed refrigerant the lubricant conducted from the pool toA thesystem, and when condensed, showering the, refrigerant in liquid form,together with such of the lubricant as may have become mixed therewith,upon the lubricant pool without disturbing the static stability of thelatter, and permitting` the liquid to gravitate; through the lubricantto the refrigerant pool, whereby substantially perfect separation of thelubricant from the circulatory medium is effected substantially as setforth.

5. A compressive refrigerating machine comprising a compressor having apiston, a compressing chamber and a lubricant chamber substantiallyexcluded from said compression chamber, the working parts of saidcompressor being operatively associated with said lubricant chamber, acondenser chamber, connections between the condenser chamber and saidcompressor chamber, means for conducting refrigerant from saidcompressor chamber to said condensing chamber, an outlet for liquidrefrigerant leading from the lower part of said condenser chamber, anevaporator in communication with said outlet, and a lubricant connectionleading from the intermediate part of said condenser chamber to thelubricant chamber of said compressor, said lubricantconducted to thelubricant chamber of the compressor being excluded from the compressedrefrigerant by the compressor chamber and said connections between thesame and said condenser chamber.

6. A compressive refrigerating machine and condenser having a crankcase, a piston, a crank in said case connected with said piston, acompressing chamber having an inlet and outlet port, a condenser chamberconnected with said outlet port, an evaporator in communication withsaid inlet port, a cooling element in the upper part of said condenserchamber, an outlet for the modified refrigerant leading from the lowerpart of said condensing chamber to the evaporator, and a lubricantconnection leading from the intermediate part of said condenser chamberto said crank case, said machine being adapted to circulate therefrigerant from said evaporator through the compressor and then to thecondensing chamber substantially out of Contact with the lubricantconducted to said lubricant chamber.

T. A compressive rei'frigerating machine comprising a compressor' havinga piston, a compressing chamber and a lubricant chamber substantiallyexcluded from said compressing chamber, the working parts of saidcompressor being positioned in said lubricant chamber, a condenserchamber connected with said compressing chamber, means for conductingrefrigerant from said compressing chamber to the upper part of saidcondensing chamber, a cooling element in the upper part of saidcondenser cham ber, an outlet for liquid refrigerant leading from thelower part of said condenser chamber, an evaporator in communicationwith said outlet, and a lubricant connection leading from theintermediate part of said condenser chamber to the lubricant .chamber ofsaid compressor, said machine being adapted to circulate the refrigerantfrom said evaporator through the compressor and then to the condensingchamber substantially out of contact with the lubricant conducted tosaid lubricant chamber.

8. A refrigerating machine comprising a circulating system operativelyincluding a refrigerant compression member, means for effectingrefrigerant expansion, an expansion chamber, and a condensing andseparating chamber all operatively included in the circulating system,said condensing and separating chamber having a cooling means and belowthe same a suitable condensing space, two distinct pools of liquid, oneof oil floating upon the other of refrigerant, and each of sutcientvolume to permit static stability in each pool, said cooling means beingadapted to condense the refrigerant and to permit the same in liquidform to gravitate upon and through said lubricant pool, together withsuch lubricant as it may contain, a pipe of substantially capillarydimensions for the passage of refrigerant from said pool and its chamberwhereby the refrigerant may fioat from said chamber without disturbingthe static stability of its pool, and means of communication betweensaid lubricant pool and said compression member adapted to lubricate theWorking parts of the compression member substantially Without bringingthe same Vinto direct communication with the recluded in the circulatingsystem, said con' densing and separating chamber having 'a capacity ytoaccommodate below a suitable` condensing space two distinct pools ofliquid, one of oil floating upon the other of refrigerant, and each ofsufficient volume to permit static stability in each pool, cooling meansWithinsaid condensing space to condense thev refrigerant and to permitthe same in liquid form to gravitate upon and through said lubricantpool, together with such lubricant as it may contain, a pipe for thepassage of refrigerant from said pool andy its chamber whereby therefrigerant may pass from said chamber, and means for communicationbetween said lubricanty pool and saidcompression member, saidcompression member being adapted to receive lubricant for its Workingparts Without bringing the lubricant into direct communication With therefrigerant, and said system beingV adapted substantially to exclude therefrigerant and lubricant from one another throughout except in saidcondensing chamber and being adapted to maintain them therein indistinct pools having static stability.

In testimony whereof, We have hereunto set our hands.

JAMES B. THOMPSON. SELDON B. HIBBARD.

